Intel i7 920 D0 system cooling issues

Puma_rules · 1 Nov 2009 at 11:27

Hi

I have just build myself a new Intel i7 920 D0 system with a Asus P6t motherboard and am using Thermaltake Bigwater cooling. My problem is this;

I do not seem to be able to run the computer with temperatures below 40C with the water cooling running at stock CPU speeds. When idle the system sits at 45-50C. When loaded the temps increase (as expected) but up to 70C. With my old Q9500 Quad system (OC'd to 3.3ghz) using the same cooling it would idle at 18C and run to 24C when loaded. I have regreased the chip and has made to difference. I keep the cooling topped up and last replaced the liquid about 9 months ago.

Could it be a chip issue or is it more likely a cooling component problem?

Please help I really want to OC this chip but not with these temps to begin with!

Thanks

Ben

Puma_rules · 2 Nov 2009 at 10:00

any one with any ideas?

cmndr_andi · 2 Nov 2009 at 10:57

The i7 chip is MUCH hotter than the 45nm Core 2 Quads. The Q9550 has a TDP (thermal design power) of 95W, while the i7 is 130W.

If this is the same setup as the core 2 and nothing has changed - then you may be running into the limit of your cooling system. I hear the Bigwater is about as good as mid-range air cooling - so 70degrees is a bit hot, but not unreasonable.

madindehead · 2 Nov 2009 at 11:06

Have to agree with what andi said. The i7s run quite hot.

Mine is idling at 35-39C currently, with a Megahalems cooling it. That's at 4GHz. Maybe it is time to look into a new cooler?

k1llah3rtz · 2 Nov 2009 at 12:12

what does it reach @30mins Prime95?

Xelene · 2 Nov 2009 at 15:08

That seems hot, mine idles at 45Cish but only goes up 20C underload. My ambient room temps are pretty high also.

Puma_rules · 2 Nov 2009 at 18:19

Thanks huys for your thoughts and ideas. I haven't run it under prime95 for more than 15 mins or so, but it reached around 75C at stock speeds. An interesting development I have just installed the stock fan cooler and the CPU idles at 37C. So im guessing I have a problem with my cooling system. I will run prime95 again and get back to you.

A case of buying a new waterblock? or an entire new setup?

Your thoughts?

setter · 2 Nov 2009 at 18:25

As an alternative you could perhaps consider a new air heatsink, something like the prolimatech megahelems or thermalright ultra extreme. One of theese coupled with 1 or 2 fans would be a somewhat cheaper solution.

Puma_rules · 2 Nov 2009 at 20:07

I will have a look at these thanks!

In addition with prime95 run for 40 minutes average temp with 71C on core temp and 66 on on PC probe II.

Xelene · 2 Nov 2009 at 20:17

Puma_rules said:
Thanks huys for your thoughts and ideas. I haven't run it under prime95 for more than 15 mins or so, but it reached around 75C at stock speeds. An interesting development I have just installed the stock fan cooler and the CPU idles at 37C. So im guessing I have a problem with my cooling system. I will run prime95 again and get back to you.

A case of buying a new waterblock? or an entire new setup?

Your thoughts?

I had a quick look at the Thermaltake kit, it seems to be designed for older CPU's and the 920 kicks out a lot of heat. I'm not sure it's really upto the job of running a much hotter 920 chip.

If you want to water cool this chip you need to spend somewhat more on it, for aircooling at this price range you need to look at the TRUE, Megahelem and H50.

Your motherboard is probably being over optimistic on voltages and you can pare those back some which will reduce heat.

Puma_rules · 2 Nov 2009 at 22:44

Sldsmkd

Thanks, i'm hoping to overclock to around the 3.8-4.0 area, so I think I will stick to the liquid cooling as long as it doesn't cost the earth! (£80-100 or so) any recommendations?

cmndr_andi · 2 Nov 2009 at 23:02

The corsair H50 is a fully-sealed liquid cooler that gets the i7 to 4GHz with relative ease.

If you have the budget available, I would suggest adding 2 of these fans to it- to get some awesome cooling and low noise. Here is a good review pitting the H50 against other coolers - and also comparing it with 2 fans vs 1.

JonJ678 · 2 Nov 2009 at 23:16

Puma_rules said:
am using Thermaltake Bigwater cooling %this is the problem

With my old Q9500 Quad system (OC'd to 3.3ghz) using the same cooling it would idle at 18C and run to 24C when loaded. %untrue; for one thing the q9500 doesn't exist, and for a second quad cores run hotter than this

Cooling issue. The error was in selecting a thermaltake as the cooling system. Move to air or a better water cooling system. I'm curious as to what told you a quad core was loading at 24 degrees.

Water cooling can be done for £100, just about, through second hand components. Otherwise air/h50 is your best option.

Xelene · 3 Nov 2009 at 07:14

Agree with the two previous posts. Depends on why you want watercooling really - if it's because you want the best and the bling associated then second hand bits for custom watercooling are the way to go.

Personally, I went with the H50 (which I group with aircoolers) - because I was after something competent, compact, quiet & hassle free. Bare in mind you'll need to add a fan or two to it.

It should get you to 3.8-4.0 fairly easily depending on ambient temps and your case. For me 3.7 is the sweet spot, need to add too much voltage which generates more heat than i'm comfortable with to take it higher. The ambient here is 25C tho.